1985 Map of Port Mansfield

About this map

Laguna Madre dominates the eastern landscape of this South Texas coastal region, where the shallow waters separate the mainland from the Padre Island National Seashore. The inland terrain is characterized by a sparse network of small ranching and rail settlements, many established along the corridor of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Places such as Norias, Armstrong, and Rudolph illustrate the historical importance of rail transit through the scrubland and dunes of the Kenedy and Willacy county lines. Further south, the map details the transition into more established irrigation and agricultural zones near San Perlita. The map also captures the maritime infrastructure of the era, from the Intracoastal Waterway to the harbor at Port Mansfield. Natural landmarks like the salt lake of La Sal Vieja and various named elevations like Ebony Hill provide clear reference points for the low-lying coastal plains.